Hand propelled and steered bicycle

ABSTRACT

A bicycle. A front bicycle wheel and rear bicycle wheel are connected to a bicycle frame. A drive sprocket drives the rear bicycle wheel. Two hand grippable pivotally connected handles are each connected via a handle drive linkage to the drive sprocket. The pivoting of the handles in an approximately vertical plane controls the rotation of the drive sprocket and spins the rear bicycle wheel. In one preferred embodiment, the bicycle is a stationary bicycle. In another preferred embodiment the bicycle can be steered and taken on the street.

The present invention is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.13/346,306, filed on Jan. 9, 2012 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,534,690 onSep. 17, 2013). The present invention relates to bicycles, and inparticular, to hand propelled bicycles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bicycles are well known and are very popular. Bicycles were introducedin the 19th century and now number about one billion worldwide. They arethe principal means of transportation in many regions. They also providea popular form of recreation, and have been adapted for such uses aschildren's toys, adult fitness, military and police applications,courier services and bicycle racing.

As a form of exercise the bicycle is considered highly desirable.Compared to running it is low impact and therefore not harmful to thejoints of the bicycle rider. It provides outstanding cardiovascularfitness. It is also a very exciting form of exercise because the ridercan ride his bicycle to interesting places too far away to walk to orjog to.

The avid bicycle rider will eventually develop extremely strong legs asa result of his repeated bicycle workouts. However, a significant faultof the prior art bicycle is that the rider is unable to effectivelyexercise his arms or chest while riding the bicycle. There have beenattempts in the prior art to develop hand propelled bicycles but none ofthese have been effective or have been accepted by the generalpopulation.

What is needed is a better hand propelled and steered bicycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a bicycle. A front bicycle wheel and rearbicycle wheel are connected to a bicycle frame. A drive sprocket drivesthe rear bicycle wheel. Two hand grippable pivotally connected handlesare each connected via a handle drive linkage to the drive sprocket. Thepivoting of the handles in an approximately vertical plane controls therotation of the drive sprocket and spins the rear bicycle wheel. In onepreferred embodiment the bicycle is a stationary bicycle. In anotherpreferred embodiment the bicycle can be steered and taken on the street.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a preferred bicycle.

FIGS. 2-3 show details of a preferred steering linkage arrangement.

FIGS. 4-5 show details of a preferred propulsion linkage arrangement.

FIG. 6 shows a preferred handle bracket.

FIG. 7 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8-9 show details of a preferred propulsion linkage arrangement.

FIG. 10 shows preferred handlebar extenders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-5 show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shownin FIG. 1, the rider is able to both steer and propel bicycle 1 bygrasping and manipulating handles 2. By utilizing his upper body forpropulsion, the rider is able to more effectively exercise his upperbody, including his arms and chest. Moreover, because the rider utilizeshis legs along with his arms to propel the bicycle, the rider is able toride faster, more efficiently and for longer distances than he would beable to by utilizing a prior art bicycle that just utilizes legs forpropulsion.

A Preferred Embodiment of the Present Invention

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, each handle 2 is pivotally connected to handlebracket 4. Handle bracket 4 is rigidly attached to rotating shaft 6.Rotating shaft 6 rotates freely on a bearing encircling stationary shaft8. Stationary shaft 8 extends through rotating shaft 6 and is rigidlyattached to frame mount 10. Frame mount 10 is rigidly attached tobicycle frame 12. Each handle 2 is pivotally connected to rod 14 (FIG.2). Rod 14 is connected to bell crank 15. Both bell cranks 15 arepivotally connected to bell crank support bracket 16. Bell crank supportbracket 16 is rigidly connected to frame mount 10. Rods 17 are pivotallyconnected to bell cranks 15 and are also both pivotally connected totiller 18. Tiller 18 is rigidly connected to steerer tube 19 of bicycle1. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, bicycle 1 alsoincludes conventional handlebars 20 also connected to steerer tube 19.In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, spring 73 isconnected to bell crank 15 and wraps around bolt 74 as shown in FIG. 2A.Spring 73 serves to dampen the steering mechanism of bicycle 1 and isadjusted to align the front wheel forward.

Propulsion levers 21L and 21R are rigidly connected to rotating shafts6. Propulsion lever 21R is pivotally connected to connecting drive shaft24. Propulsion lever 21L is pivotally connected to connecting driveshaft 25 (FIG. 5). Upper sprocket 28 is mounted to bicycle frame 12 viaupper mount 64 (FIG. 4). Connecting drive shaft 24 is pivotallyconnected to offset lever 26R (FIG. 4). Offset lever 26R is connected toupper sprocket shaft 27. Upper sprocket shaft 27 is rigidly connected toupper sprocket 28. Connecting drive shaft 25 is pivotally connected tooffset lever 26L (FIG. 5) Offset lever 26L is connected to uppersprocket shaft 27. Upper sprocket shaft 27 is rigidly connected to uppersprocket 28 (FIG. 5).

Bicycle chain 29 engages upper sprocket 28 and lower left sprocket 30.Pedal arm 42 is rigidly connected to pedal arm 41 via lower sprocketshaft 31 (FIG. 4). Lower left sprocket 30 is engaged to lower sprocketshaft 31 via one way bearing 44 (FIG. 5). One way bearing 44 disengagesthe upper sprocket when using legs only for propulsion. Lower rightdrive sprocket 32 is engaged with rear wheel bicycle drive chain 33(FIG. 4, FIG. 1).

Using the Arms for Propulsion

To ride bicycle 1, the rider grasps handles 2 and places his feet onpedals 51 and 52 (FIG. 1). The rider may choose to use only his feet forpropulsion. As explained above, if the rider uses only his feet forpropulsion, chain 29 will disengage due to one way bearing 44.

The rider may decide that he wants to exercise primarily his arms. Therider would then pivot handles 2 back and forth in left and rightvertical planes with most of his effort. The pivoting motion of handles2 would be transferred, through handle brackets 4, through rotatingshafts 6, through propulsion levers 21L and 21R, through connectingdrive shafts 24 and 25, through chain 29 to rotational motion of lowerright drive sprocket 32. Lower right drive sprocket 32 is engaged withthe rear wheel bicycle drive chain 33 so that bicycle will thereforemove forward. If the user is mostly working with his arms, he will usehis legs to a large extent for balance on pedals 51 and 52.

Most riders, it is expected, will tend to naturally split the workevenly between the arms and the legs so that the rotational motion ofpedals 51 and 52 and the pivoting motion of handles 2 contributeapproximately equally to the rotational motion of lower right drivesprocket 32.

Using the Arms for Steering

To use the arms for steering, the rider grabs handles 2 and pivots themcounterclockwise (looking downward) to turn left and pivots themclockwise to turn right. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, these pivotingmotions are transferred from handles 2 through rod 14, through bellcrank 15, through rod 17 to tiller 18. Tiller 18 is connected tosteering tube 19 which is connected to the front wheel of bicycle 1.

Conventional Handlebars

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, conventionalhandlebars 20 are also connected to steering tube 19. This allows theuser to transition back to the convention method of steering a bicycleif his arms get tired. Or it is also useful to a rider who is firstlearning how to ride bicycle 1. The beginner rider preferably initiallystarts riding the bicycle while grasping conventional handlebars 20.Then as his confidence increases, the rider preferably places one handon one of the handles 2. After gaining more confidence, the rider canthen place both hands on handles 2. If ever the rider wants to go backto conventional handlebars 20, he may do so. Intermediate or advancedriders of bicycle 1 may opt to not include conventional handlebars 20attached to bicycle 1 in order to decrease the weight of the bicycle.

Apply Brakes and Shifting Gears

Bicycle 1 includes hand brakes 45 attached to handles 2. Also, bicycle 1preferably includes conventional gear shifting mechanisms.

Improved Handle Bracket

FIG. 6 shows an improved handle bracket 4 b. Handle bracket 4 b iswelded onto rotating shaft 6. This allows for less total weight ofbicycle 1.

Stationary Bicycle

FIG. 7 shows preferred stationary bicycle 100. Wheel 101 of stationarybicycle 100 is supported by bicycle training stand 102 which supportsthe rear wheel axle of wheel 101 while allowing wheel 101 to spinfreely. Front wheel 103 is held straight ahead and steady by supportwheel block 104. A bicycle rider can now climb onto the seat of bicycle100 and pedal foot pedals 51 and 52 and use handles 112 for exercise.

Stationary bicycle 100 is similar to bicycle 1 however, the steeringsystem is not needed because the bicycle is stationary and does not needto be steered. Therefore it can be manufactured for significantly lessmoney and still provide optimum exercise for the user.

As shown in FIG. 8, each handle 112 is pivotally connected to handlebracket 114. Handle bracket 114 is rigidly attached to rotating shaft116. Rotating shaft 116 rotates freely on a bearing encirclingstationary shaft 118. Stationary shaft 118 extends through rotatingshaft 116 and is rigidly attached to the bicycle frame.

Propulsion levers 121L and 121R are rigidly connected to rotating shafts116. Propulsion lever 121R is pivotally connected to connecting driveshaft 124. Propulsion lever 121L is pivotally connected to connectingdrive shaft 125. Preferably spring 79L is connected between propulsionlever 121L and drive shaft 125 and serves to dampen the motion of thepedals and propulsion handles and to place the pedals and handles inoptimum position for the user.

Upper sprocket 128 is mounted to bicycle frame 122 via upper mount 164(FIG. 9). Connecting drive shaft 124 is pivotally connected to offsetlever 126R (FIG. 7). Offset lever 126R is connected to upper sprocketshaft 127. Upper sprocket shaft 127 is rigidly connected to uppersprocket 128. Connecting drive shaft 125 is pivotally connected tooffset lever 126L (FIG. 9) Offset lever 126L is connected to uppersprocket shaft 127. Upper sprocket shaft 127 is rigidly connected toupper sprocket 128.

Bicycle chain 129 engages upper sprocket 128 and lower sprocket 130(FIG. 9). Pedal arm 142 is rigidly connected to pedal arm 141 via lowersprocket shaft 131 (FIG. 7). Lower sprocket 130 is engaged to lowersprocket shaft 131. Lower right drive sprocket 132 is engaged with rearwheel bicycle drive chain 133.

Exercising Using the Stationary Bicycle

The rider may decide that he wants to exercise primarily his arms onstationary bicycle 100. The rider would then pivot handles 112 back andforth in left and right vertical planes with most of his effort. Thepivoting motion of handles 112 would be transferred, through handlebrackets 114, through rotating shafts 116, through propulsion levers121L and 121R, through connecting drive shafts 124 and 125, throughchain 129 to rotational motion of lower right drive sprocket 132. Lowerright drive sprocket 132 is engaged with the rear wheel bicycle drivechain 133 so that bicycle to cause the spinning of rear wheel 101. Ifthe user is mostly working with his arms, he will use his legs to alarge extent for balance on pedals 151 and 152. If the user wants toprimary exercise his legs he can relax his arms while gripping handles112 and utilize his legs to spin the drive sprocket. Or, optionally, hecan remove his arms from handles 112 and instead grab conventionalhandlebars 150.

Most riders, it is expected, will tend to naturally split the workevenly between the arms and the legs so that the rotational motion ofpedals 151 and 152 and the pivoting motion of handles 112 contributeapproximately equally to the rotational motion of lower right drivesprocket 132.

Handlebar Extenders

FIG. 10 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention inwhich handlebar extenders 112B are attached to the ends of handlebars112 of bicycle 100. Handlebar extenders 112B allow a rider positioned onseat 175 to sit up more straight and not hunch over forward. Thisrelieves stress on the rider's back while by shortening the distancethat he has to reach forward when operating the bicycle. It should berecognized that handlebars 112 with extenders 112B could be replacedwith variety of handlebar types, including long handlebars or shorthandlebars depending on the preference of the rider.

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Although the above-preferred embodiments have been described withspecificity, persons skilled in this art will recognize that manychanges to the specific embodiments disclosed above could be madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, itwould also be possible to modify the bicycle so that there are twowheels up front and/or two wheels in the rear. The possibleconfigurations would be: 1) one wheel up front, one wheel in the rear(as described above), 2) one wheel up front, two wheels in the rear, 3)two wheels up front, one in the rear, 4) two wheels up front, two wheelsin the rear. The embodiments that include additional wheels would makeit easier to balance the bicycle. Therefore, the attached claims andtheir legal equivalents should determine the scope of the invention

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle, comprising: A. a front bicycle wheel,B. a rear bicycle wheel, C. a bicycle frame, D. a lower drive sprocketfor driving said rear bicycle wheel, said lower drive sprocketcomprising a plurality of rigidly connected pedal arms, E. an upperdrive sprocket adapted to drive said lower drive sprocket, F. two handgrippable handles each connected via a handle drive linkage to saidupper drive sprocket, wherein said upper drive sprocket is mounted tosaid bicycle frame between said two hand grippable handles and saidlower drive sprocket, wherein pivoting of said two hand grippablepivotally connected handles in approximately vertical planes controlsthe rotation of said upper drive sprocket which causes the rotation ofsaid lower drive sprocket which causes the spinning of said rear bicyclewheel, wherein said handle drive linkage comprises:
 1. a handle bracketconnected to each one of said handles,
 2. a rotating shaft rigidlyconnected to said handle bracket,
 3. a propulsion lever rigidlyconnected to said rotating shaft,
 4. a connecting drive shaft pivotallyconnected to said propulsion lever and connected to said upper drivesprocket,
 5. a bicycle chain engaged with said upper sprocket and saidlower drive sprocket, and
 6. a bicycle chain engaged with said lowerdrive first drive sprocket and driving said rear bicycle wheel forward.2. The bicycle as in claim 1, wherein said bicycle is a stationarybicycle, further comprising: A. a rear wheel bicycle training stand forelevating said rear wheel from floor level while allowing spinning ofsaid rear wheel, and B. a front wheel support block.
 3. The bicycle asin claim 1, further comprising a steerer tube for controlling the leftand right motion of said front bicycle wheel, wherein said two handgrippable pivotally connected handles are each connected via a handlesteering linkage to said steerer tube wherein pivoting of said two handgrippable pivotally connected handles controls the left and right motionof said front bicycle wheel.
 4. The bicycle as in claim 3, wherein eachsaid handle steering linkage comprises: A. a first rod pivotallyconnected to said handle, B. a bell crank pivotally connected to saidfirst rod, C. a second rod pivotally connected to said bell crank, andD. a tiller pivotally connected to said second rod and rigidly connectedto said steerer tube.
 5. The bicycle as in claim 3, further comprisinghandlebars connected to said steerer tube.
 6. The bicycle as in claim 1,further comprising a frame mounted shaft rigidly mounted to said bicycleframe and extending in a right hand direction and a left hand direction,wherein said two hand grippable pivotally connected handles arepivotally connected to said frame mounted shaft.
 7. The bicycle as inclaim 1, further comprising hand brakes attached to each of saidhandles.
 8. The bicycle as in claim 1, further comprising foot operatedpedals connected to said lower drive sprocket, where said foot operatedpedals work in conjunction with said two hand grippable pivotallyconnected handles to propel said bicycle forward.
 9. The bicycle as inclaim 1, wherein said front bicycle wheel is at least one front bicyclewheel and wherein said rear bicycle wheel is at least one rear bicyclewheel.
 10. The bicycle as in claim 1, further comprising handleextenders connected to said two hand grippable handles for extending thelength of said two hand grippable handles.
 11. A bicycle, comprising: A.a front bicycle wheel, B. a rear bicycle wheel, C. a bicycle frame, D. alower drive sprocket for driving said rear bicycle wheel, said lowerdrive sprocket comprising a plurality of rigidly connected pedal arms,E. an upper drive sprocket adapted to drive said lower drive sprocket,F. two hand grippable handles each connected via a handle drive linkageto said upper drive sprocket, wherein said upper drive sprocket ismounted to said bicycle frame between said two hand grippable handlesand said lower drive sprocket, wherein pivoting of said two handgrippable pivotally connected handles in approximately vertical planescontrols the rotation of said upper drive sprocket which causes therotation of said lower drive sprocket which causes the spinning of saidrear bicycle wheel, wherein each said handle drive linkage comprises: 1.a handle bracket connected to said handle,
 2. a stationary shaft rigidlyconnected to said bicycle frame,
 3. a rotating shaft rigidly connectedto said handle bracket and rotating on said stationary shaft,
 4. a drivelever rigidly connected to said rotating shaft, and
 5. a connectingdrive shaft pivotally connected to said drive lever, wherein saidbicycle further comprises:
 6. an upper sprocket mount rigidly mounted tosaid bicycle frame,
 7. an upper sprocket shaft extending through saidupper sprocket mount and rigidly connected to said upper sprocket,
 8. anoffset lever rigidly connected to said upper sprocket shaft, whereinsaid connecting drive shaft is pivotally connected to said offset lever,9. a bicycle chain engaged with said upper drive sprocket and said lowerdrive sprocket, and
 10. a bicycle drive chain engaged with said lowerdrive sprocket and driving said rear bicycle wheel forward.